2014 North American Indigenous Games- and the Winners are . . . British Columbia captured First Place, Saskatchewan 2nd, and Ontario 3rd.Details: http://naig2014.gems.pro/Result/MedalList.aspxTeam BC 1st to ever win BOTH John Fletcher Spirit Award & Overall Team Award for most medals(Twitter photo: Team BC NAIG ‏@TeamBCNAIG)

New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame hosts North American Aboriginal Games send off

July 8, 2014

FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame will welcome the province’s First Nation athletes for a special send-off event at noon on Saturday, July 12, in anticipation of their departure for the North American Indigenous Games in Regina July 20-27.

The Games are held every four years, attracting thousands of competitors and volunteers from all over North America. New Brunswick will be represented by 70 athletes from First Nations and off-reserve Aboriginal youth, competing in athletics, archery, volleyball, rifle shooting, softball, basketball, and swimming.

Chef de Mission Jason Peters and Assistant Chef de Mission Jake Augustine will accompany the athletes. They will be joined by the Team NB co-ordinator Pat Bernard and mission staff Ryan Francis, Chris Robichaud, Sky Perley, Daniel Caplin, Gerald LaBillois-Slocum, Kristen Warner, and Manon Ouellette, executive director of Coach NB.

Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas, Healthy and Inclusive Communities Minister Dorothy Shephard, and Chief Candice Paul of St. Mary’s First Nation will attend the event. Drummers from Oromocto First Nation and traditional dancer Bronson Acquin will perform at the event.

APTN ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE2014 NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES

July 16, 2014, Winnipeg, Manitoba – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) announced today it will provide extensive coverage of the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)starting July 20th through July 25th.

Athletes and coaches will travel from all over North America to Regina, Saskatchewan to partake in the 8th edition of the North American Indigenous Games, from July 20th - 27th, 2014. APTN is sending its top reporters on the road to bring daily news coverage and behind the scene stories to its viewers. “We believe in the importance of promoting a healthy and positive lifestyle within the indigenous communities,” says APTN Chief Executive Officer Jean La Rose. “We hope that this special programming will motivate and inspire communities and individuals across the country to get active and reach for their dreams,” he adds.

NAIG Opening Ceremonies LIVE Broadcast:

APTN’s own Michael Hutchison and former Olympian and NAIG participant Waneek Horn-Miller will be co-hosting a special LIVE broadcast of the NAIG Opening Ceremonies on July 20th, starting at 4:00 p.m. ET, 1:00 pm PST airing on APTN and APTN HD. This spectacular showcase of the diverse traditions, languages, songs and dance of the host province will also feature performances by the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, Inez Jasper, Crystal Shawanda, Plex and Juno Award winner George Leach. LIVE streaming of the ceremonies will also be available at aptn.ca/news/live.

SPECIAL EDITION – NAIG 2014:

Anchor Michael Hutchison will be joined by Larissa Burnouf, Ntawnis Piapot and Tom Fennario for daily half-hour coverage of NAIG 2014. From medal standings to team coverage and feature interviews, people can tune in to APTN and APTN HD at 6:30 p.m. ET and MST Mondaythru Friday, July 21st - 25th for a look at the day’s most memorable moments.

More information on the North American Indigenous Games can be found online on the event’s official website: www.regina2014naig.com. We also invite you to visit APTN’s website at www.aptn.ca for the latest information on this special broadcast.

ABOUT NAIG:

The North American Indigenous Games is a sporting event that is held every 4 years involving indigenous athletes from all over North America. Giving the youth an opportunity to compete in fifteen (15) different sports.

ABOUT APTN:

September 1, 2014, will mark the 15-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite, telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. The network launched its high definition channel, APTN HD, in the spring of 2008. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862 (Canada), or visit the website at www.aptn.ca